Candidly, it's only about half ripe (6)
I believe the answer is:
openly
'candidly' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'only about half ripe' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'half' means to take half the letters.
'ripe' cut in half is 'pe'.
'only' placed around 'pe' is 'OPENLY'.
'it's' is the link.
(Other definitions for openly that I've seen before include "In public" , "In full view" , "Candidly, without concealment." , "Overtly" , "In candid, up-front manner" .)